The Red team’s second-and-third string guys pulled off quite the upset in a 13-10 win over the Black team’s starters at SDSU’s Spring Scrimmage on Saturday.

What does that tell you?

For one, the defense is far ahead of the offense at this point.

After all, the backups on the Red team’s defense manage to hold off the starters. (Though, granted, the Black offense didn’t help itself at all with some late turnovers.)

The Black defense also came up big with a goal-line stand against the upstart Red offense.

“I thought the defense ran around real good and was very physical,” SDSU coach Rocky Long said.

Here a look at few guys who sparkled in the spring scrimmage, and who could help the Aztecs in their bid to repeat as Mountain West champs this coming season.

Guys who dominated

Junior college transfer Derek Largent surpassed all expectations in his first season with the Aztecs’ in 2012.

And if his performance in Saturday’s game was any indication, Largent will once again be a force for SDSU in 2013. At 240-pounds, the 6-foot-4 outside linebacker is 10 pounds heavier than he was last year, but no slower. He single handedly derailed the Red team’s offense for most of the scrimmage. Largent finished with three sacks – all on different offensive series – and announced himself as a bona fide weapon off the edge.

Hopefully this means the Aztecs have found a way to mount an effective pass rush and that they’ll be able to sustain that into the season.

On offense, Tim Vizzi appeared to be the most effective of all the receivers. He had five catches for 51 yards, and strained for a couple more on long routes. Now, he just has to find consistency.

Guys who helped themselves

Red team warrior safety T.J. Hickman had a monster day. The sophomore showed his ability to rush the passer, and finished with one sack and several quarterback hurries.

He also displayed a knack for bringing down receivers right as the ball touched their hands, and made several big stops that way.

Long said after the scrimmage that the cornerback positions are still wide open, but you have to think Mahbu Keels made a case for himself by forcing a fumble, recovering a fumble, and then intercepting Dingwell. He finished with a team-high six tackles.

The coaches also seem to like what they’ve seen from young Damontae Kazee, who started for the Black team at left cornerback, with Pierre Romain on the opposite side of the field.

“It means that up until today, he was what we thought was the second best or maybe even the best corner out there after this spring,” Long said.

On offense, wide receiver Eric Judge capped off a good final week of practice by catching a beautiful 22-yard touchdown pass from Chase Favreau.

“Eric Judge stepped up big this week,” said senior receiver Colin Lockett. “He had a couple of catches in practice this week and had a touchdown here. I think he’s showed a lot of improvement.”